It was hockey history on this day in 1978.
That’s when the NHL Board of Governors approved the merger of the Minnesota North Stars and the Cleveland Barons.
The end result would be the Barons (formerly the Oakland Seals) vanishing forever, but its players bolstering a tepid North Stars roster.
Among the best, winger Al McAdam:
And goalie Gilles Meloche:
The move meant that Barons owners George and Gordon Gund would be the majority owners of the merged club, and Lou Nanne would be the Stars’ general manager. The North Stars also got back to winning, and found themselves in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 1981.
